King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:20 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:20 in the King James Version says “And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto th... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. came: Heb. clothed

2 Chronicles 24:20 · KJV


Context

18

And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

19

Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. came: Heb. clothed

21

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness deteriorating after mentor's death. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְר֣וּחַ1 of 30

And the Spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים2 of 30

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לָֽבְשָׁה֙3 of 30

came

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֶת4 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זְכַרְיָה֙5 of 30

upon Zechariah

H2148

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

בֶּן6 of 30

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֣ע7 of 30

of Jehoiada

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן8 of 30

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד9 of 30

which stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מֵעַ֣ל10 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לָעָ֑ם11 of 30

above the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָמַ֣ר12 of 30

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֜ם13 of 30
H0
כֹּ֣ה׀14 of 30
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר15 of 30

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים16 of 30

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לָמָה֩17 of 30
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַתֶּ֨ם18 of 30
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹֽבְרִ֜ים19 of 30

Why transgress

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת20 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְוֹ֤ת21 of 30

ye the commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

יְהוָ֖ה22 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלֹ֣א23 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַצְלִ֔יחוּ24 of 30

that ye cannot prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

כִּֽי25 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וַיַּֽעֲזֹ֥ב26 of 30

because ye have forsaken

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת27 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה28 of 30

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיַּֽעֲזֹ֥ב29 of 30

because ye have forsaken

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶתְכֶֽם׃30 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 24:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 24:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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